Our parish s patron is St Paul the Apostle, one of the early Church s missionary leaders.

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1 Our parish s patron is St Paul the Apostle, one of the early Church s missionary leaders. A dynamic preacher, he visited communities located around the Mediterranean Sea and in Asia Minor proclaiming the good news of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. In his first letter to the Church at Corinth, Paul tells how he handed on the tradition of the Last Supper to them and it is this sacred meal that we share which makes us one with Jesus and with the Church, both living and departed, today. W ELCOME TO ST PAUL S. We are glad that you have come to worship God with us today. If you are a visitor from another parish, or worshipping with us for the first time, please introduce yourself to our parish priest, Fr James Collins, or to anyone wearing a name badge, over a cup of tea or coffee in the parish hall after the service. You ll find it behind the church. Sung Eucharist 8.00am Choral Eucharist 9.30am Fr John writes 3 A Rite for the lighting of the 4 Advent wreath World s Newest Christian: 5 Clara Marie Southwood Happy Birthday, Sheryl and Stephen 5 Advent activities packs available 6 Thank you from Nungalinya 7 Young people: Not merely 12 the church s future

2 A first aid kit is located on the wall of the kitchen in the Large Hall behind the church. As you take your place in your pew, please make yourself aware of the route to the nearest emergency exit. Should there be a fire, leave quickly, turn right, and assemble by the roundabout on Burwood Road. Large print copies of the pew sheet are available from the sidespeople at the back of the church. People needing wheelchair access can enter St Paul s most conveniently by the door at the base of the belltower. Name badges help make St Paul s an inclusive community. If you need a new name badge, fill in the form on the inside back cover, send it to the parish office, and one will be made and left in church for you. Toilets are available at the entrance to the parish hall, which is located behind the church. facebook.com/groups/ Ask a member of the clergy or anyone who s wearing a name badge. We re here to help. Please turn your mobile phone off or on to silent before the service starts. It ll save you much embarrassment later on. Kids are welcome in church at any service. There is a selection of children s books and toys at the back of the church near the font and there are also kids activity sheets and pencils available at the back of the church on the pew where the pew sheets and prayer books are. During term time Sunday School runs. Kids are collected from by the font the back of the church at the beginning of the 9.30am Eucharist and then they rejoin us in church before the Communion. Please feel free to bring your children to the altar rail to receive a blessing, or to receive Communion if they have been admitted to it.

3 A quote from With love to the World 31/10/13 A Scottish monk and academic, truly one of the saints, the late Roland Walls came upon a distressed young man in his chapel. He had confessed to the exclusive Christian fellowship to which he belonged that he was gay and had been asked to leave forthwith. On hearing the story, Walls simply gave the man a hug. For the man this was proof of his acceptance by God. He made a Sculpture for the garden Christ and Adam in embrace. What was lost in Adam is restored in Christ. In a hug there is a double movement, you give yourself but you also draw the other to your heart. God gives Godself in Christ, in Christ draws us close. Fr John Hawkins

4 The clergy and servers gather at the wreath during the Entrance Hymn. Priest Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord. All Thanks be to God. Reader Last Sunday we lit the first candle in our Advent wreath to remind us of our hope in Christ. We light it again as we remember our Saviour, born a king in the line of David. We believe the Jesus born in Bethlehem will come again to fulfil all of God s promises to us, to rule the world wisely and bless all nations. A server lights the first candle, the Candle of Hope. Reader Now we light the second candle the Candle of Peace. We remember the prophets who spoke of the coming of Christ of how a Saviour would be born. The prophet Isaiah called Christ the Prince of Peace. When Jesus came, he taught the people the importance of being peacemakers. He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God. When Christ comes to us he brings us peace and he will bring everlasting peace when he comes again. All Priest All Priest All We light the Candle of Peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through him peace is found Jesus said: I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. We also light this candle to remind us of God s calling us into his own marvellous light Lord God, you sent John the Baptist as a messenger to prepare the way for Jesus. Grant that we may also be your messengers by bringing your peace to the world. This we ask in Jesus name. Amen.

5 A server lights the second candle, the Candle of Peace Priest O Lord, help us to prepare for the coming of your Son. We are often weak in mind and body and fail to show love for you. Be present with us so that we will always put love for you and our neighbours above our selfishness. We ask this of you who lives and reigns for ever. Amen. The last verse of the hymn is sung as the clergy and servers enter into the sanctuary. This morning we welcome Clara Marie Southwood into the family of God, the Church, through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. Pray for Clara, her family and godparents that they may know God s presence in their lives and be enfolded with God s love. We extend our warmest good wishes to Sheryl Southwood and Stephen Laurence on their birthdays. Many happy returns and every blessing. Leaflets with the times for our beautiful services of Lessons and Carols and our Christmas services are available at the back of the church (and in the pew sheet). Please take these and invite your family and friends to come along to them. The Advent Gift Tree is now in the church in the south transept. Up until 22 December, gifts may be placed around the tree for those in need. Gifts should show clearly the gender and age for whom the gift is suitable. The gifts will be distributed to the Exodus Foundation on the weekend before Christmas. (At Midnight Mass the Advent Gift Tree becomes the Christmas Tree.)

6 significant role and we thank Judith for her generosity in doing this. This year as part of the preparation for the coming of the baby Jesus we have put together some activity packs suitable for children to use to work their way through Advent. There are games and puzzles, colouring and readings, prayers and cards to engage young minds as the story of the coming of the baby Jesus unfolds. You are welcome to take a box and the accompanying work book for those children that occupy a special place in your heart. These are located at the back of the church. We need items to fill the basket for the Christmas Hamper. This is always a much sought after first prize. The basket will be at the back of the church for your donations. Items could include Christmas puddings, chocolates, nuts, nibbles, tablecloths, Christmas serviettes, decorations, anything you would eat or use at Christmas. These are just a few suggestions. Tickets are on sale at $2 each or 3 for $5 We are very grateful to Elizabeth Griffiths for having faithfully prepared our flower roster over the past few years. Judith Laurence has kindly offered to take on this very Our parish cards are still available and are beautiful cards to send to family and friends for Christmas or for any special occasion.

7 Rosemary King has created the most magnificent calendar using the beautiful sketches of St Paul's drawn by Allan Allman Gamble in Calendars are still available to be purchased for $ We are grateful to Rosemary for all of the time and effort that she has given to make such a splendid calendar. We received the following thank you letter from the Principal of Nungalinya College Your donation is really appreciated; it will help us to further our training here at Nungalinya. And as we celebrate our 40 years it is great to reflect on the achievements of our past students. Thank you for all your prayers and support. We greatly appreciate your interest in Nungalinya. Thank you from the students and staff of the college. Yours in Christ, Dr Jude Long Principal, Nungalinya College Thank you to everyone who cares for our neighbours by donating food for the parish pantry. We are currently in need of the following items: sugar sticks, coffee, tea, hot chocolate sachets, fruit in jelly, single serves of long life custard, small tins of fruits, sweet biscuits, small plum puddings, Christmas cake, shape biscuits, small packets of cereal, small & large long life milk and Sun rice meals We are also in need of the following personal hygiene items: combs, safety razors, nail clippers, deodorant, shaving cream and small pkts of tissues. Please remember to give only what you would like to be given. Thank you.

8 We are grateful to the members of the Order of the Eastern Star for having kindly and generously contributed to our parish pantry. We received a letter from the Anglican Board of Mission and here is part of its contents Dear Friends in Mission, Thank you for your ongoing support of the Anglican Board of Mission. Please find enclosed our Advent and Christmas Appeal enveloped for this year. We have merged the two appeals in order to save money. The envelopes feature short stories of our projects that we focussing on in this year s Appeal. We would be grateful if you would distribute the envelopes during the Sunday services throughout Advent. Thank you again for your support of the work of ABM and may I take this opportunity to wish you a Blessed Christmas and prosperous Yours in Mission, Christopher Brooks Acting Communication and Fundraising Manager * Advent & Christmas Appeal Envelopes are available at the back of the church.* There will a break from workshops during December, until 15 January Susanna Mills writes It is my intention to take some of the works home to progress them further as and when I get the opportunity over the festive season. This period will be a very good opportunity to do a pre-install of the incomplete mosaic bases, before they get very heavy when fully loaded with mosaic tiles and grout on completion. By doing a pre-install we will

9 be able to ascertain the best and safest method(s) to affix the mosaics to the Hall wall, and also ensure that they all fit together and can be arranged on the available wall space, as conceptualised. Dates for 2014: January 2014 Wed 15 Workshop for teenagers; Wed 22 Workshop for teenagers; Wed 29 The time for the teenage workshops will be 10.30am pm. February 2014 Mon 3; Wed 5 Mon 10; Wed 12 Mon 17; Wed 19 Mon 24; Wed 26 time, all mosaics should be near completion. Susanna can either grout them all, during the break and return them for installation, or we can allocate another 2-4 grouting workshops at the beginning of May to grout them all, together. (Grouting is very messy, and best done outside but it s a fun group activity! See: v=t2fmfmbt7ic and v=bj_zhkm9kwc May 2014 Grouting and installation I hope! Susanna Mills March 2014 Mon 3; Wed 5 Mon 10; Wed 12 Mon 24; Wed 26 Mon 31 April 2014 Wed April 2 There will a break for the Easter holidays. By this

10 Next Sunday 15 December, we will welcome all of our toddlers, children, and youths, along with their families, to give them gifts from the parish as a sign of our love and care for them all. On Saturday 21 December from am until midday we will gather at St Paul s to dust, polish, and clean the Church and to work on the grounds in readiness for Christmas. Let s make the church and grounds even more beautiful for Christmas. On Sunday 22 December, after the service of Lessons and Carols at St Paul s at 7.00pm, we will have a special supper of mince pies and bubbly in the hall. Elizabeth Griffiths is organising this for us. Please feel free to come and share in some time of fellowship together. The draw for the winner of the Christmas hamper will take place then. If you haven t already done so, you can even buy a ticket before the service. The 73rd annual presentation of Handel s Messiah will be held in Sydney Town Hall on next Saturday 14 December at 5.00pm and Sunday 15 December at 2.15pm. Ticket prices this year will be $38 (full price (including seniors)) and $33 (children, full-time students and pensioners). Tickets must be purchased from the City Recital Hall box office on line, by telephone or in person. Please note that this year those booking online will be able to see a plan of the Town Hall and be able to choose the actual seats they want. For further information on tickets and ticketing, please contact the City Recital Hall on (02)

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12 The youth are the future of our church! I have heard these words preached, whispered, shouted both desperately and joyfully, and cried throughout my time in the Episcopal Church. While I cannot doubt the passion behind this statement, it always leaves me wanting. Undoubtedly, the youth are our future, but they are also our now. While it is good that adults are advocating for our young people as the future, we also need them today. Youth are among our current and most valued congregants, although they are often viewed sitting idly in our pews and are ghosts among the many corners of ministry. Most church community revolves around adults. We participate in programs such as Episcopal Church Women, vestry, office volunteers, Sunday school teachers, men's groups, prayer teams, and numerous other ministries. But a youth community that is provided opportunities to openly champion their faith is every bit as important. Our youth are a breath of life. They offer joy and wonder and excitement in action. Watching the seeds of Christ grow within our young people is a living testament awarded to the church family. The church should not be measured in quantity of youth, but in quality of spirit. Opening our doors and welcoming teens shares with them an intimacy they cannot find within the secular world. We are the ones who teach our youth they are loved, cherished, and safe. Every day, social media displays the various struggles and pressures our young people face. These issues will not fade, but increase as society continues to become isolated and isolating. We cannot remove these obstacles, but we can create an alternative by providing a ministry that combines their trials and sufferings and counters them with a faith journey that guides and strengthens each young person. Opportunities such as weekly gatherings, lock-ins, outreach, and Bible studies help our youth know they have a place and are valued.

13 Too often, our youth forget how precious they are, as their innate goodness is subverted by a culture that says they forever must be better better looking, better athletes, better students, better friends, even better Christians. I have watched youth grapple in confusion with these challenges, observing that the only true peace found is within a Christfilled community. They become excited about being involved with their church and the experiences they encounter are life changing. The purpose of a youth community is not to grow programs, but to grow relationships. Fostering relationships with Christ is our calling and without a faith-driven life, our youth will scatter to find meaning outside the church. Often when teaching youth confirmation classes, I use My Faith, My Life by Jennifer Gamber. The website for this book shares a variety of helpful tools for youth workers and volunteers. The following link will introduce you to a portion of a sermon, written by a high school senior in Newtown, Connecticut. This sermon reflects her experiences within her church and is an inspirational glimpse into the gift a youth community can make in a young person's life. Find the sermon at sermons.html. I encourage all to read this testimony and embrace the growth she received as a member of a loving church family. So the answer is yes, youth are the future of our church. Yet they are not only the future, but are the church today.

14 One day before Christmas, my four-year-old grandson Danny was acting particularly obstreperous. His exasperated mother finally said, Danny, settle down and behave or Santa s going to bring you rocks and sticks. Danny s eyes lit up. Goody! I like rocks and sticks! We laughed, but though he didn t know it, my grandson was reminding us of the joy that exists in what is real. Members of vestries deal with what is real the secular business of the parish every day. But here s something to remember for the season of Advent. This is a time of expectation, of preparation: a time of longing for the reality that is birthed in each of us as Christ within. So that we can say, as St Paul said, Not I, but the Christ in me. A common symbol of Advent is the wreath. But when I lead Advent retreats, I use a different symbol: the Advent Artichoke! To eat an artichoke you must pull off the outer leaves in order to reach the succulent delicious heart. We, too, need to pull off whatever may be keeping us from recognizing our deepest selves, for that is where we find Christ who lives in our hearts. For instance, superficial status symbols. The right label, the right car, the right neighbourhood. Are we clinging to these? Borrowed values Most of us follow what we learned from parents, teachers, church pastors and the media. But is it time to take a second look? What if you re ignoring something that may be different from what you learned but is God s way of alerting you to a unique gift you haven t yet used? Unnecessary fear Jesus said, You cannot serve two masters. He didn t say, You should not. He said you cannot. It may be necessary for vestry members or church pastors to occasionally take a risk, to step out of your comfort zones now and then. Don t let fear hold you back. Fear will push out love and prevent a quiet trust in the will of God. Here are four of the words I offer at my retreats that can help us pull off outer leaves:

15 Watch Jesus often encouraged his disciples to watch. This Advent, pay attention to your actions. Check out your motives. But do it non-judgmentally, simply as a way of gaining information about yourself. About what is really going on with you. Accept We live in a time of turbulent change. Parishes are struggling more for money. This Advent, practice accepting each day as a gift from God and vow to recognize all that happens in your life as part of God s plan for you. Choose An attitude of gratitude will help us discover that ultimately all things intermingle for good when we place God at the centre. Pray Those serving on vestries often say they wish they had more time to pray. See Grace on the Go: 101 Quick Ways to Pray. (Morehouse) It offers ways to find prayer opportunities in the daily actions you re already doing. Practice shower power. As you take your daily shower, pray to be cleansed from any feelings of anger, resentment, bitterness or regret. Recall the words of Isaiah (58:11) You shall be like a watered garden, whose waters never fail. Make a driveway meditation. Before leaving on your morning commute, place your hands lightly on your car s steering wheel and breathe deeply. Ask God to steer you through your day. Pump in the spirit. Need gas? As you fill your car, ask God to fill you with loving kindness toward everyone you meet that day. As a final reminder, try serving artichokes at dinner. As you pull off the outer leaves, let this act remind you that Advent is a season for removing what doesn t really count in our lives in order to discover the true Christ that lives within our hearts. A member of St. Michael and All Angels in Mission, Kansas, Barbara Bartocci is an award-winning author of nine books, including the Grace on the Go series* from Morehouse (most recently: Grace on the Go: Powerful Prayers to Ease Money Worries.) She also speaks frequently to church groups. Learn more at

16 Christmas in the Join the Burwood Community for a celebration of Christ s birth next Saturday 14 December from 3.00pm in Burwood Park Park Isaiah ; Psalm , 18-21; Romans ; Matthew With Isaiah we look for a spirit of wisdom and understanding. But the trails of the mind do not lead to a haven of peace. Christ knew the whole counsel of God and the door to the treasure house of his wisdom is open. Today s question: Why do I trust so much in my knowledge when my spiritual strength is far greater? Prayer: Spirit of Jesus, open the door to your recalled wisdom and let it be my bread and drink. Give thanks for the work and witness of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan (covers Sudan and South Sudan). Text: Bishop Arthur Jones, Rector, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Forbes Park, Metro Manila Anglican Board of Mission, 2013

17 Office use PR NB WL PV NSE Please return this form to the Parish Office. Surname First Name(s) Address Suburb Postcode Postal address (if different from above) Service(s) you normally attend Phone (h) Phone (w) Phone (m) DOB Occupation I m new to St Paul s I m already on the roll my details have changed I m already on the roll I just need a new name badge

18 Pray for the Anglican Church for Justin, Archbishop of Canterbury; Phillip, Primate of Australia; Glenn, Archbishop of Sydney; Robert, our Regional Bishop; and for all the bishops, priests, deacons and Religious of the Anglican Communion. In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer we are asked to pray today for the Diocese of West Virginia - (Province III, the Episcopal Church), for its bishop, the Rt Revd Willam Michie Klusmeyer and for all his clergy and people. Pray for Fr James, and for all the clergy in the parish as well as for their spouses. May God bless them and their ministries and may we support them as they work among us in Christ s name. Pray for St Paul s: God of mercy, strengthen us to help shape a parish where diversity is a source of enrichment, compassion is common, life s poetry realized, suffering lightened through sharing, justice attended, joy pervasive, hope lived, the hum of the universe heard, and together with you and each other we build what is beautiful, true, worthy of your generosity to us, an echo of your kingdom. Amen. (Ted Loder) Heavenly Father, enable this church to do your will. Make it vulnerable that it may speak with calm humility. Make it outward looking that it may care deeply. Make it a community of peacemakers and bridge builders. In the midst of turbulence let the church make space for the hearing of your still small voice. (Author unknown) Pray for the Church s mission: Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honour of your name. Amen. (Author unknown) Pray for our Sunday School: The Lord said, Let the little children come to me and do not forbid them for such is the kingdom of heaven. Bless, Lord, your children who now stand before you in prayer. Help them to understand the depth of your love. We pray also for all the teachers of our Sunday School. May our teachers be enabled to teach and train your children and help them to grow spiritually. O Lord, bless our Sunday School and all its future endeavours, that through

19 it we may glorify you with your Father and the Holy Spirit, now, always and forever. Amen. Pray for peace: Lead me from death to life, from falsehood to truth; lead me from despair to hope, from fear to trust; lead me from hate to love, from war to peace. Let peace fill our hearts, our world, our universe. Pray for all in need. Today we pray for all those troubled countries that God may grant them peace, security and Salvation in the Word of the Lord. Mike Wall; Narelle Weeks; Lynne West; Megan West; Valma Woolfrey In love and charity remember the recently departed, among them Mervyn Burgess, that God grant them place of refreshment, light and peace. Pray, too, for Jordan Hayes, Phyllis Lockwood and for any others whose year s mind falls around this time. May they be numbered among the saints, following the Lamb wherever he goes! Pray for the sick and their carers: Nidhal Abdulmasseh; Barry Brandy; Evelyn Byron;(Sir) John Carrick; (Lady) Angela Carrick; Chris;Yvonne Clarke; Beverley Collins; Coralie; Hilary Davies; Majorie Davies; Canon Peter Davies; Leah Delacruz; Aileen Devenish; Dave Ernest; Jean Fuller; Ginybuwa; Glenyce; Joyce Gorman; Greg; Fr Brian Harker; George & Joyce Harvey; Mary Harvey; Janene, Lakoa Katalake; Josephine Licciardello; Gaye Mackie; Sandra Macleod-Miller; Bruce May; Barbara Moreton; Ian Murray; Tas Murray; Susan Oddie; Pippa Oddie; Ron O Mally; Alister Palmer; Paul Phillips; Bettie Purton; Deidre Reid; Heather Robbins-Hayllar; Jenny Rorich; Julie Scott; Patricia Sedgman; Shannon; Marguerite Sheffield; Stephanie; Susan; Sylvia Thompson;

20 Phone Fax Post PO Box 530, Burwood, NSW 1805 Website Rector Fr James Collins Office Secretary Mrs Caroline Badra (9.30am to 2.30pm, Tuesday to Friday) Lay Minister Ms Rosemary King Rector s Warden Mr Alan Melrose People s Wardens Mrs Elizabeth Griffiths Mrs Pam Brock Priests in the Parish Fr John Hawkins, Fr Jim Pettigrew Director of Music Mrs Sheryl Southwood Organist Mr Edwin Taylor Morning Prayer will be held in the side chapel Monday Friday at 7.30am this week. A Eucharist with prayers for healing will be held in the side chapel on Wednesday at 10.30am. Commemorations noted by the lectionary this week Friday 13 December Lucy, martyr and virgin (d.304) Saturday 14 December John of the Cross, mystic and teacher (d.1591)